Narrated by Indian “Chief” Bromden, this story focuses on the antics of gleefully rebellious Randle P. McMurphy. McMurphy is transferred from a prison work farm to the hospital, thinking it will be an easy way to serve out his sentence. He has a fine time hustling the patients, until he realizes that he is more than a diversion for them; he gives them the lives they are too afraid to live for themselves. McMurphy also presents a discipline problem and challenge to the authority of buttoned-up, middle-aged Nurse Ratched, who exercises near-total power over those in her care, including her subordinates.